For using Teboho Mokoena, an ineligible player, in a 2026 World Cup qualifying match against Lesotho.
FIFA has filed allegations against Mokoena and the South African Football Association, according to South African broadcaster SABC Sport.
FIFA acknowledged that the player and the association are facing charges of violating multiple disciplinary rules, including fielding an ineligible player, in a letter to SAFA dated September 15, 2025, which the public broadcaster was able to view.
SAFA and Mokoena have been given six days to respond to the FIFA Disciplinary Committee’s referral of the case.
After fielding Mokoena, who was not permitted to play in March’s 2026 World Cup qualifying match against Lesotho, Bafana Bafana is now facing charges.
According to FIFA regulations, the 28-year-old midfielder was suspended for one game after receiving two yellow cards during the qualifiers, first against Benin in November 2023 and then against Zimbabwe in June 2024.
In addition to other penalties like fines or suspensions, Bafana Bafana might be required to surrender the match’s outcome, which would theoretically give Lesotho a 3-0 victory, if proven guilty.
With two games remaining, South Africa’s prospects of selecting the automatic ticket remain open as they lead Group C with 17 points, but a possible deduction would put them tied with the Benin Republic (14) and close the distance with Nigeria to three points.
While Lesotho’s score will increase from six to nine points, they will still be in fifth place, two points behind Rwanda in fourth place and Nigeria in third place, both with 11 points.
In October, South Africa’s final two qualifying matches will be against Rwanda and Zimbabwe. Nigeria will play the Benin Republic and Lesotho (away), and it is hoped that South Africa will falter in one or both of their matches.
The Court of Arbitration for Sports has upheld FIFA’s punishment against Equatorial Guinea for fielding Emilio Nsue, an ineligible player, during the qualifications.
Nonetheless, Nigerians on social media are still extremely pessimistic about the Super Eagles’ ability to improve the situation, even in light of the disciplinary case against South Africa.
In the words of Charles Anazodo, “E be like say hope don dey o.” In order to defend their decision to use an ineligible player against Lesotho, FIFA has written to South Africa. They’ve got a week to reply.
Others, however, were quick to dampen hopes. “Nigeria should allow Benin to go because we don’t deserve it, my reason being that we can draw five winnable matches and expect miracles to happen,” stated Justin Ogbonnah (@justinogbonnah9).
“I see no hope,” Asiwaju Abiodun (@AbiodunAdeyem17) continued. They will still lead by three points even if three are taken away. The only thing left to hope for is that we win the remaining games, including the one against Benin Republic.
Emmidoma (@emmidoma2000) expressed the same worry, saying, “Even if they take away three points, they will still beat us, and 70% of these Nigerian players don’t deserve to play in the World Cup.”
According to Isah Abdulmumeem (@saturnhill), the problem goes beyond numbers. “I don’t have hypertension, so I won’t die,” he stated, adding that the NFF Board must move on with mandatory resignation.
Mudiaga Etohwo (@mudibenjam) has similar reservations. Is there any hope at all? If we had won our previous game, not much would have changed. Maybe, just maybe.
Some made their decisions more bluntly. “Even if six points are taken away from their points, there is absolutely no hope,” the King of Queens wrote. Super Chicken is still going to be messed up.
Additionally, Ike Basil (@ikechukwuo16276) delivered a biting critique on the group. The Super Eagles you are arguing for are the ones that will still face Lesotho. The team is terrible and underfunded.
The combination of general annoyance and a glimmer of hope represents Nigerians’ mounting impatience, as they think that even a favorable FIFA decision would not conceal the team’s more serious issues on the field.
